The role of stable interface in nano-sized FeNbO₄ as anode electrode for lithium-ion batteries

Graphical abstract: After dozens of charge/discharge cycles, the electrode of Nano-FNO remains the homogeneous combination with active material and conductive carbon, but the microcrystals in Micro-FNO electrode are cracked to small particles. The pulverization of Micro-FNO not only blocks the transfer of Li⁺ and electrons due to the separation of the active material and conductive carbon, but also results in the falling of active material from the current collector. Nano-FNO can remain the excellent capacity after dozens of cycles. - Abstract: Nano-sized FeNbO₄ (Nano-FNO) with an average diameter of 120 nm is facilely prepared by co-precipitation method. Bulk FeNbO₄ (Micro-FNO) as a comparison synthesized by conventional solid-state synthesis has an average grain size of 3–10 μm. In the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images, Nano-FNO reveals an ordered single crystal structure, but Mirco-FNO is composed of disordered crystallites with different crystal orientation. Nano-FNO as anode material delivers the initial capacity of 475 mAh g⁻¹which is much higher than Micro-FNO electrode of 250 mAh g⁻¹.After dozens of charge/discharge cycles, the electrode of Nano-FNO remains the homogeneous combination with active material and conductive carbon, but the microcrystals in Micro-FNO electrode are cracked to small particles. The pulverization of Micro-FNO not only blocks the transfer of Li⁺ and electrons due to the separation between the active material and conductive carbon, but also results in the falling of active material from the current collector. Compared with the weakened electrochemical performances of Micro-FNO, Nano-FNO remains the excellent capacity after dozens of cycles. The charge transfer resistances of Nano-FNO and Micro-FNO after several cycles are further studied by fitting their electrochemical impedance spectra.